Men Use #MenimistTwitter To Discuss Gender Equality And Their Issues With Feminism
Men's Feminism AKA #MenimistTwitter Totally Doesn't Get The Point
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
Any true feminist knows that feminism is about gender equality - not man hating.
But unfortunately it seems some guys on Twitter do not think feminism speaks for them.
These men have branded themselves "menimists" and have taken to social media to tell feminists how they feel.
The #MenimistTwitter hashtag isn't new, but it's certainly gained momentum in the last month. Although, some do still seem unsure on how to spell it (come on guys, you need to agree on a spelling before you start a social movement).
While it was previously being used to make misogynistic jokes that many women found offensive...
The hashtag is now being used by many males who want to seriously discuss issues facing men in the 21st century.
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It's great that men are talking about gender equality, but we're wondering whether they really need their own movement to do so.
Earlier this year, Emma Watson's powerful #HeForShe speech highlighted the need for men to support feminism in order to improve life for both sexes.
Menimism risks creating an "us against them" scenario where men and women are pitted against each other, rather than supporting one another.
Men who identify as menimists and women who identify as feminists essentially want the same thing - fair treatment for all - so wouldn't it be better if we all worked together to achieve it?
... And Caitlin Moran's view seems to be part of a growing global ideology. Over on the other side of the pond, rising star, Lena Dunham, creator and star of HBO series, 'Girls' said: “Do you believe that women should be paid the same for doing the same jobs? Do you believe that women should be allowed to leave the house? Do you think that women and men both deserve equal rights? Great, then you’re a feminist.” (credit:Getty Images)
The Populists: Bridget Christie(02 of09)
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For stand-up comedian, Bridget Christie, “feminism is really simple: everyone is affected by it, it’s not some academic subject – it’s just about equality for every woman in the world.” Christie's aim is to make feminism accessible by making it funny. Her Radio 4 comedy series, 'Bridget Christie Minds The Gap', offers her very personal take on modern feminism using humour and anecdotes to put the subject in context with everyday life. (credit:The Southbank Centre)
The Populists: Caitlin Moran(03 of09)
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When it comes to feminist theorists, she may not have the academic credentials of Simone De Beauvoir and Germaine Greer but today’s poster girl for British feminism, Caitlin Moran, has undoubtedly reawakened the feminist agenda and made it accessible to everywoman (and every man).For Moran, feminism is about a common belief in gender equality – and if you believe in that you can wear your feminist badge with pride. She told the New York Times magazine in an interview, “When I talk to girls, they go, ‘I’m not a feminist,’ And I say: ‘What? You don’t want to vote? Do you want to be owned by your husband? Do you want your money from your job to go into his bank account? If you were raped, do you still want that to be a crime? Congratulations: you are a feminist.’” (credit:PA)
The Glass-Ceiling Smashers: Karren Brady (04 of09)
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Karren Brady became the managing director of Birmingham City Football Club at the age of 23. Flouting any preconceptions about age and gender, she quickly turned around the club's fortunes, proving herself to be one of the most formidable businesswomen in the world.A regular on 'The Apprentice', she is an inspiration to millions of women and a reminder that women really can have it all if they want it.She told The Guardian in an interview: "I always say, women have brains and uteruses, and are able to use both." (credit:PA)
The Glass-Ceiling Smashers: Sheryl Sandberg(05 of09)
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Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg was Forbes List 2011. Her new book 'Lean In' (released March 2013) calls for women in all occupations to 'lean in' to their careers.Sandberg encourages women to push past their fears and address the ways in which they hold themselves back.See some of The Huffington Post's favourite Sandberg quotes. (credit:Getty Images)
The Family Feminists: Lily Rose Cooper (née Allen)(06 of09)
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Lily Allen raised more than a few eyebrows (not least those of her record company agents) when she announced she would be taking her husband's name and changing her professional moniker to Lily Rose Cooper.Not exactly known for her conventional or conservative attitude, Lily is a prime example of the modern feminist idea that you can flout traditional feminist conventions and still be a feminist. Feminism is about freedom of choice. (credit:Alamy)
The Family Feminists: Beyoncé (aka Mrs Carter)(07 of09)
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Taking the same path as Lily Rose Cooper, Beyoncé was derided by female critics when she announced she would be touring under her married name, Mrs Carter. But the star, who has made a name for herself singing about female empowerment, insists she is not compromising her feminist sensibilities.She told Vogue in a recent interview: "I guess I am a modern-day feminist. I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are? Why do you have to label yourself anything? I’m just a woman and I love being a woman," she said."I do believe in equality and that we have a way to go and it’s something that’s pushed aside and something that we have been conditioned to accept."She defended her decision to pay homage to her husband, Shawn Carter (Jay-Z): "I feel like Mrs Carter is who I am, but more bold and more fearless than I've ever been."It comes from knowing my purpose and really meeting myself once I saw my child. I was like, 'OK, this is what you were born to do'. The purpose of my body became completely different." (credit:AP)
The New Voices: Tawakkol Karman(08 of09)
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Labelled the 'Iron Woman' and 'Mother of the Revolution' by Yemenis, Tawakkol Karman became the international public face of the 2011 Yemeni uprising. A feminist, human rights activist, Yemeni journalist, politician and senior member of the Al-Islah political party she heads the group 'Women Journalists Without Chains'.READ MORE HERE. (credit:Getty Images)
The New Voices: Malala Yousafzai(09 of09)
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Previously the domain of white middle-class intellectuals, a monumental shift we are beginning to see in the feminist landscape is the inclusion of women that have never previously had a voice - feminists who are prepared to risk their lives to speak out in a society where women's voices are brutally suppressed.Malala Yousafzai, 15, was shot in the head by the Taliban fin October 2012, or speaking out in support of women's rights, in particular their right to an education. READ MORE. (credit:AP)